ALUS is celebrating the successful completion of a multi-year investment from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), supporting farmers to restore and steward important habitat for species at risk across the province.
Before and after photo of a SAR project in Peterborough that is being managed and maintained through the support of MECP’s Species Conservation Program
Through the Species Conservation Program, $561,000 in funding from 2023 to 2026 enabled farmers to restore and manage 885 acres of riparian habitat on farms in Ontario, with 104 farmers actively stewarding habitat that supports species at risk.
Projects delivered through ALUS communities in Lambton, Norfolk, and Kawartha Peterborough Northumberland are helping to protect and enhance the habitats that species at risk depend on — supporting species such as Blanding’s Turtle, Snapping Turtle, Least Bittern, Bank Swallow, and Swamp Rose-Mallow — while also improving water quality and strengthening biodiversity across working landscapes.
This work includes the creation of 58 wetlands (41 acres) and the establishment of riparian buffers that provide essential shelter, breeding areas, and connectivity for species at risk, while protecting waterways from erosion and runoff.
“Support from the Government of Ontario enables farmers to take meaningful action to create and protect habitat for species at risk,” said Jordan Sinclair, ALUS CEO. “These results show how farmers, supported by targeted investment, can deliver measurable outcomes for biodiversity and the recovery of vulnerable species.”
By restoring marginal and environmentally sensitive areas, ALUS farmers are helping to rebuild habitat networks that are critical to the survival and recovery of species at risk—while maintaining productive agricultural land.
“Our government is proud to champion the work of ALUS alongside more than a hundred dedicated farmers who are restoring wetlands across their lands, creating vital habitat and giving species like the Bank Swallow a chance to rebound,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Through our new Species Conservation Program, we are not just protecting habitats, we are actively rebuilding them, driving meaningful progress in species recovery, and securing a resilient future for Ontario.”
This investment leaves a lasting legacy across Ontario, supporting healthier ecosystems, stronger watersheds, and meaningful progress toward protecting species at risk.
Learn more about ALUS communities and projects in Ontario by clicking here.
About ALUS
ALUS is Canada’s community-led, farmer-delivered model for nature-based solutions on agricultural lands. As a national charitable organization, ALUS works with farmers and communities to restore marginal and environmentally sensitive agricultural land back to nature, delivering measurable environmental outcomes across Canada. Through land restoration and practice change—including restoring wetlands, grasslands, and tree and shrub plantings—ALUS strengthens ecosystems while supporting sustainable agriculture and resilient rural communities.
ALUS supports more than 360 community leaders across 41 communities, working with close to 2,200 farmers to establish and manage over 57,200 acres of nature-based projects across Canada.
Media Contact:
Shayne Meechan
Senior Manager, Communications, ALUS
[email protected]
